Knitting notes from Pella, Iowa

Pella: where there is little yarn to be had, and no 40' size 7 or 8 circular needles.

I am working on a lengthwise scarf-hood combination, and I have about 800 stitches on my 29' needles, and it is getting a bit tight. What should I call this monster? A Harf? A Schood? I would post pictures but right now I can't because I am in Pella to attend a conference for chaplains in my denomination, and I didn't bring my own computer or a card-reader.

However, to have some picture, I will include a pic of the socks I finished recently. I took no picture of the socks myself, but Kathy from Interim House did when I was visiting there, and she posted the picture on her site. I shamelessly poached this picture from her blog:


They're knit from Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock, a wonderful yarn to knit with and to wear, and I used size one needles. They are the first toe-up socks I 've ever knit.

They are also a nice distraction from what is occupying most of my thinking tonight: the General Synod meeting of the RCA, which is also happening in Pella IA this week. I know most of you don't care much about this meeting, but I do give a hoot about denominational church politics, and the politics are especially unpretty this year. If you want to hear the perspectives of an insider, click on "Stacey's blog" in the left hand column of my blog--she's got some good insights. Stacey is a voting delegate to Synod this year, God bless her. I am so glad she is standing in the gap.